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Stepping into the medical field can be fun and exciting. As an EKG technician in Georgia, you get to work with cutting-edge equipment that tells doctors more about the lungs and hearts of their patients.
Certification is critical to this position, so it is important to know the various requirements so that you can get the necessary education to move forward in this career.
Article Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements to Become an EKG Technician in Georgia
The licensing requirements to become an EKG technician in Georgia starts with obtaining either a high school diploma or a GED.
You can sit for the certification exam by either completing a state-approved EKG training program or obtaining at least 1 year of on-the-job experience.
Additionally, you will need to show proof that you have completed a minimum of 10 successful EKGs.
The easiest and most common way to be able to sit for the certification exam is to complete a training program – and there are plenty around the state of Georgia.
You will have to show that you are at least 18 years of age.
Additionally, you will need to provide a clean background check with no felonies.
Further, the school will require you to provide them with your immunization records and negative tests for both Hepatitis and TB.
Once you have completed the program, sitting for the certification exam involves paying a fee of $150 – though some programs may be more but will include test exams, study guides, and more.
Some of the different EKG tech programs will also provide you with a voucher so that you can sit for the exam without any additional out-of-pocket spending.
The certification exam has a duration of two hours.
There are 80 scored questions along with 20 pretest questions.
Once the exam is passed, the certification is mailed, which can be used in Georgia as well as other states since it is a national certification exam.
5 EKG Technician Schools in Georgia
Georgia School of Phlebotomy
You can take an EKG Technician course at the Georgia School of Phlebotomy.
The class meets twice a week for six weeks.
The on-site courses will provide a full understanding of 12-lead EKG administration and much more.
Upon completion of the program, you can sit for the certification exam.
The total cost of the program is $800.
Atlanta Career Institute
The Atlanta Career Institute (ACI) offers a number of affordable medical training classes and boasts a 95% pass rate.
The EKG program is completed in as little as 3.2 weeks – and courses are available in the morning and evening.
Prior to enrolling in the class, students will also need to have a basic life support-CPR course completed, which is available at ACI.
There are weekly payment plans available and military/veterans can receive a discount on tuition.
Health Tech of Georgia
This technical school in Warner Robins offers an EKG/ECG Technician program.
Students can look forward to day and evening classes with hands-on training.
The full program includes 48 credit hours, which is completed in 12 weeks.
The cost of tuition is $689, and financing is available.
Cumberland Medical Institute
The Cumberland Medical Institute in Marietta offers an EKG Technician Class.
Morning and evening courses are available, and upon completion, you can take the national certification exam onsite or at any location.
The cost of the course includes print material, exam preparation material, as well as a scrub uniform.
Depending on whether you do a combo course with another certification or not, the cost is estimated at around $1500.
Progressive Medical Institute
The Progressive Medical Institute provides a comprehensive schedule that includes 60 lecture hours along with 20 lab hours for hands-on training.
There are day, evening, and weekend classes for student convenience.
Depending on how often students attend, the program can be done in two, four, or six weeks.
The cost can vary based on current promotions, but student loans are available through a third-party lender.
EKG Technician Schools in Georgia – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Georgia School of Phlebotomy | 6667 Vernon Woods Dr NE Suite A-40, Atlanta, GA 30328 |
| Atlanta Career Institute | 5380 Peachtree Industrial Blvd #120, Norcross, GA 30071 |
| Health Tech of Georgia | 1867 Watson Blvd, Warner Robins, GA 31093 |
| Cumberland Medical Institute | 3411 Austell Rd SW #100, Marietta, GA 30008 |
| Progressive Medical Institute | 3300 Holcomb Bridge Rd Suit 250, Norcross, GA 30092 |
Salary
The salary of an EKG technician in the U.S. averages $40,300 – and the average stays around the same throughout most of Georgia.
Top earners within the career field can earn around $51,936, which is what the top 90th percentile earns.
The amount that you earn will depend heavily on such things as your education, the years of experience that you have, your performance, and if you have direct reports.
If you have other medical certifications, it can help you to become more valuable, which often includes higher pay ranges.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Atlanta | $39,900 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | $37,800 |
| Columbus | $36,700 |
| Savannah | $37,900 |
| Athens-Clarke County | $39,600 |
| Macon | $37,600 |
| Roswell | $39,800 |
| Albany | $37,100 |
| Marietta | $39,800 |
| Warner Robins | $37,500 |
Regional Salary in Georgia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | 60 | $57,190 | $27.49 | $84,180 | $32,410 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 1,570 | $74,100 | $35.63 | $107,420 | $39,210 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 200 | $67,670 | $32.53 | $96,310 | $36,720 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 70 | $60,300 | $28.99 | $80,410 | $35,220 |
| Dalton, GA | 30 | $61,700 | $29.66 | $94,140 | $30,730 |
| Macon, GA | 140 | $61,710 | $29.67 | $91,150 | $31,770 |
| Rome, GA | 60 | $62,360 | $29.98 | $96,310 | $30,860 |
| Savannah, GA | 80 | $73,240 | $35.21 | $98,720 | $32,420 |
| Warner Robins, GA | 70 | $54,030 | $25.98 | $81,210 | $33,010 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the state require beyond passing your certification exam?
Once you have passed your certification exam, you are ready to go into the career field.
You will need to create a professional resume and show that you have not only passed your exam but have also completed 10 successful EKGs.
Is it necessary to re-certify in Georgia?
Yes.
You will need to recertify as an EKG technician every two years.
This includes showing that you’ve completed your continuing education credits, completed the recertification exam, and paid the necessary fees.
Where are the greatest opportunities to work as an EKG technician in Georgia?
Labs, hospitals, and other medical facilities will hire EKG technicians, so there is a need all across the state.
Some of the most populated cities will offer the most opportunities, including Atlanta, Columbus, Augusta, Macon, and Savannah.
Read the full guide: How to Become an EKG Technician
EKG Technician Schools by City
EKG Technician Schools by State